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That's a bit wierd. Ok, tell us which version of Ubuntu 12.04 are you using( 32 bit or 64bit).
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saji89May 24 '12 at 14:57

2

What did you get when you tried to install it?
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jokerdino♦May 24 '12 at 14:57

it should work... do you have tried apt-get update before your apt-get install... ?
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Manu EidenbergerMay 24 '12 at 14:57

2

Please edit your question to include the complete and exact text of everything that happens in the Terminal, starting with the line on which you enter the command sudo apt-get install build-essential. (If you don't still have it up, then run the command again to get this text.) Also, please clarify in your question if the problem is that you are unable to install it, or that you cannot use the software once it is installed. Please give as detailed a description as possible of what you are attempting to achieve by running this command.
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Eliah KaganMay 24 '12 at 15:17